A 17 year old boy appeared in the Labasa Magistrate Court yesterday afternoon charged with the alleged murder of Jamalu Din of Labasa.

No plea was taken and he has been remanded in custody till the 3rd of next month.

Divisional Prosecution Officer Northern Inspector Viliame Sogari said they had to change the charge from intent to cause grievous bodily harm to one count of murder after the victim died at Labasa hospital on Friday.

It is alleged the boy hacked Jamalu Din on his back and chest with a cane knife a number of times on Monday last week.

The incident is alleged to have happened after the victim warned the boy not to harass his daughter.

As the victim was returning to his car, the boy allegedly brought a knife and hacked him.